While Amazon.com has often been cited as the number one reason that many traditional brick-and-mortar stores are either shrinking or closing, it’s not preventing the ecommerce giant from entering into the traditional in-person shopping world in a big way. After recently launching its first regional Amazon Locker at Polaris, the company is bringing its first retail pick-up store to Columbus with a location planned near The Ohio State University.
According to documents submitted to the University Area Review Board this month, Amazon is planning to open at 2114 North High Street, in the former UniversiTEES location.
Amazon launched its one-hour Prime Now delivery service in Columbus last year, and has been making headlines across the US with plans for more pop-up retail outlets selling Amazon devices like Kindles and Echos, as well as a small format “checkout-less” grocery store called Amazon Go.
What is currently known about the OSU location is that it will be approximately 900 square feet in size, and exterior signage advertises that customers can “Order Online. Pick Up Here.”
Representatives from Amazon.com did not respond to inquiries as of the time of publishing, and no opening timeframe has been announced. The University Area Review Board will meet to review the Amazon store submission on Thursday.